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About Marc Chapelle, ASLA
Expertise
As a licensed Landscape Architect, I can answer general questions about style and design, ideas and suggestions for site amenities, larger site-planning issues, or recreation and park design. IF YOU JUST WANT A PLANT SUGGESTION GO HERE: http://www.growit.com/PlantInfo/LandScape.htm I prefer you ask somebody else why your petunias are not as perky as they should be...I'd LOVE to tell you how can use those petunias to increase your home's value!

Experience
Member, American Society of Landscape Architects (ALSA.org); Past clients have been mostly contractors, developers and local civil engineering/architecture firms, plus the occasional homeowner. Currently, I design recreational facilities for the National Park Service (DOI). I am located in the dry Great Basin area (Greater Nevada/Utah), so the use of landscape materials OTHER than plants is emphasized. As a licensed Landscape Architect on the East and West Coasts, I have been in practice over 20 years.

Organizations
ASLA (ASLA.org)

Education/Credentials
BSLA in Landscape Architecture, 1989 Many additional seminars, educational venues, and classes (both taught & attended)

Awards and Honors
Best Multifamily project, 1993 Best Model Home Landscaping, 1993

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Exterior Decorating > Landscaping & Design > Exterior Home Ideas

Landscaping & Design - Exterior Home Ideas

Expert: Marc Chapelle, ASLA - 11/2/2009

Question
Hello there,

My husband and I purchased a home 1yr ago and have done so much to the exterior. It's a colonial with most of it being aluminum siding and around the porch and lower portion of the (front) of the home, in wood. At first the home was gray siding, a red painted wood section (again lower level), and a tanish roof). The shutters were a cream color.

So, we painted the red, Gray, to match the rest of the house...then replaced the shutters from Cream to Colonial Blue. We also painted the door blue as well ....

Our issue is this: With a tan roof (that we will not be replacing since its brand new from other owner), what color shutters would work best with a grayish/blue house and tan roof?? I would gladly send a pic if needed, but I have not seen many grayish homes with tan roof.

Any ideas would be so helpful...again, its a 2 car garage, colonial home, gray, has an open porch whcih I am thinking of putting railings in to add more "pizzaz" or maybe a white picket fence in front of the walkway or something???

Thanks for your help!!!!

Answer
Heather ~
Paint is probably the quickest and least expensive of home renovations out there. I love how the internet has changed this activity. You can literally "see" how your decisions or color options will look before spending a dime.

Here are a few FREE websites to help out (they may require a sign-up, but that is why I keep a “junk” e-mail address, to cut down on SPAM):

http://www.bobvila.com/DesignTools/ExteriorDesigner/ExteriorDesigner.html

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/paint_colors/paint_color_samples/

A list of more(10+), if you are feeling adventerous:
http://architecture.about.com/od/software/tp/paintsoftware.htm

It can be overwhelming, but a little work will be rewarded with great results. Lots of these sites have color help - which combos look good together (Blue & Tan do!) As to shutter color, I'd try different options at these websites to see what combination YOU like. You've go to live with it, not me!

In addition, the picket fence idea sounds great, and fits in with the Colonial theme of the house. Matching the porch railing with the fence style is another way to tie it all together, with same scrolling details, if any, or matching colors.

There are hundreds to choose from - here are a few (unpainted, of course): http://www.aronsonfence.net/index_styles_picket.html

You can also tie in and accent the "colonial blue" theme with blue-flowering trees & plants, too (depending on what grows in your area - Iris, Hollyhock, Jacaranda, etc.) Or an art object that picks up the grey/blue trim- Like a reflecting ball or statue.

Just some quick thoughts ~M

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